Timeless Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic by Armand Baltazar is a fun read that is illustrated with over a 150 full-colored paintings. Baltazar is a visual storyteller who has worked for Dreamworld studios, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation.
Earth had a rupture of the time-space continuum and a new world was born where there are enormous robots, dinosaurs, wooly mammoths, and buffalos as well as new land masses.
The story is told in first-person by Diego, a middle school boy who just turned thirteen. His mother is a famous fighter pilot and his father is New Chicago’s top engineer. Diego’s father is kidnapped and Diego and his three friends join mercenaries who’ve been hired to rescue him.
Diego is a delightful character. Full of courage and resourcefulness, but at
times impulsive. The story is a coming of age story and tests Diego and his three friend’s mettle as they realize there are much large stakes than rescuing Diego and his friend’s fathers.
As the story unfolds, Diego discovers he has secret talents, why his father was kidnapped, and the terrible fate that awaits the children of the world, if he fails in his mission.
The book is geared toward a middle school and high school audience, but as an adult, I enjoyed reading this fantasy adventure full of lively, colorful illustrations.
This book is the first in a series and was an ambitious project. Well done Baltazar.
